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Wind-farm benefits study launched

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Published Date: 18 March 2008
AS A decision is awaited on what would be the largest wind farm in Europe, planned for Lewis, a study has been launched to help bring benefits from renewable energy to the Western Isles without harming the environment.
The move was announced yesterday by Jim Mather, the energy minister.

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1

Guga II,

Rockall 18/03/2008 05:36:53
What benefits? There will be few, if any, jobs for locals, especially after the construction is completed; no reduction in the price of electricity (as it is all for export to England); not an extra penny in the pockets of locals (as all the profits will go to an English company); and no reduction in the number of power cuts experienced on the island as the power is being exported, not connected to the local grid.

The other disadvantages are that the large number of turbines, all at 487 foot high, will be a total eyesore and despoil the countryside and harm the environment. They will be visible from all over the island. There will be about 80 miles of road built, though none where they are actually needed (we've been after 6 miles of road, from Skigersta to Tolsta for nearly 100 years, and we're still waiting). For a high percentage of the time they will not be able to operate as the wind speeds will be too high.

The greater majority of the islanders (about 80 to 90%) don't want them, regardless of what the numpties in the Comhairle say; then again, the greater majority of the islanders are not getting kickbacks from the developers. We are in danger of being sold out by the Comhairle, so let us hope that the SNP government does not sell us out too.
2

nabodican,

Rural Scotland 18/03/2008 06:35:28
Unfortunately the Scottish Government are hell bent on allowing this desecration to happen.
It is time that Jim Mather realised that there is a vast difference between sustainable renewable energy and wind turbines.
My sympathy is with you Guga, the Comhairlie have already sold you out and are pulling out every dirty trick in the book to have these wind factories.
They are either incredibly stupid or are getting kickbacks - perhaps even both.
3

Harbinger,

Land of my Turbines 18/03/2008 07:44:26
Guga hits the nail on the head as usual on this subject.
4

Peatstack,

Lewis 18/03/2008 09:12:15
#Guga "we've been after 6 miles of road, from Skigersta to Tolsta for nearly 100 years, and we're still waiting"

The road was to be built with the turbines along side, out of sight from everyone, until SNH and RSPB objected and forced them into everyone's faces.
5

sam the god,

18/03/2008 10:44:24
blots on the landscape
6

Geoff,

sa 18/03/2008 11:48:36
Nabodican-I AM an environmentalist and care deeply about Scotland's wilderness areas but given the reality of climate change and the clear need to reduce C0 2 emissions then wind power is a relatively environmentally friendly option.

If you are against wind power what are the other options?
7

Geoff,

sa 18/03/2008 12:37:03
4 Danielrober-good post. Even if one does not believe in the co2 global warming link as with Nabodican,fossil fuels are running out and alternatives must be found. The Islanders should benefit-they are selling their windpower-if they are not then this needs to be corrected! Pehaps a WINP-Western Isles National Party!?
8

Guga II,

Rockall 18/03/2008 13:08:08
#5 Cruach.

Even if they were to build these turbines along the Skigersta-Tolsta road, at 487 foot high they would still be seen all over most of the island.

#7 Geoff.

I'm not against wind power per se, but as these turbines are to provide power purely for England, they should build them in England; stretched across London would do very nicely, apart from the shrieks from all the Nimbys there. The profits from this proposal are definitely not going to benefit the islanders, they will go to the English company that wants to build the turbines.

Incidentally, what global warming? Given that Mars is heating up at the same rate as the Earth, what's the cause? If it isn't too many 4x4's on Mars, maybe its the sun?
9

AndrewLee,

Dublin 18/03/2008 16:22:44
You don't want wind turbines in the islands but for the last hundred years you have lived by electricity generated from coal, oil and gas stations which have polluted their local environments. You are all just a bunch of pathetic Nimby's. The good news is we are running out of oil and coal and eventually gas. You are all at the very end of the supply chain from the power plants, you will be the first to lose your electricity when the mainland is running out, the extremes will be the easiest to disconnect.
I hope you are all stockpiling candles.

Parasites!

10

nabodican,

Rural Scotland 18/03/2008 17:46:26
Geoff #7
Wind turbines in Scotland do not cause any reduction in emmissions from electricity generation as to date they have not caused a single tonne less of coal to be burned at Longannet or Cockenzie, Scotlands only two coal fired power stations. In fact as each turbine foundation has 2000 tonnes of reinforced concrete, there is a strong argument that says they cause even more emmissions.
The bottom line is that no matter how many turbines are erected there will be zero effect on climate as a result.
Wind turbines are about making money for the developer and nothing else - except perhaps a few brown envelopes in the appropriate pockets.
11

nabodican,

Rural Scotland 18/03/2008 18:46:39
#10 Andrew Lee - It is clear that you are very ill informed. The Highlands and islands of Scotland have been self sufficient in their electricity supplies for over 50 years with hydro power which is as clean as you can get.
Oil is not going to run out for a very long time and Scotland has enough coal reserves to last 300 years.
You really need to get a life and at least check some facts before posting a rant like yours.
12

theluckyman,

Glasgow 24/03/2008 22:18:38
Oil is 110 dollars a barrel. Now the speculators are going for anything that can be used to produce oil. Stagflation anyone?

In the UK 90 percent of CH4 will be imported by 2020.

The coal used on the east coast comes from India, and there isn't a lot left in Scotland - plenty down south though. Want to use that coal? Either strip mine England, send eight year olds down mines again or wait a hundred years for the global prices to go up.

Lewis is the best site for wind turbines in Europe. If the people haven't used the opportunity to take BE and AMEC for solid gold bath taps all round then it's very laudable and praiseworthy but not the fault of the rest of us.

West of Lewis is the best wave resource in Europe, which doesn't stand a chance of getting utilised without the interconnector.
13

Larry Hallatt,

Chesley Canada 04/04/2008 10:20:40
Within a generation North sea oil will be in severe decline and every kilowatt of power will be desired to heat homes, fire industry and provide lighting.

I can not understand why locals don't make serious application to participate and raise the necessary capital to own numerous turbines supplying the local region with its own power. Locals can then decide whether to take monetary dividends from the operation or electrical joule credits that can be applied to heat and illuminate their personal home or business.

The idea of throwing away a fine business opportunity that could make the region quite wealthy suggests some feel they currently are simply too prosperous to participate. Every wind mill is as good as an oil well in your backyard.

 

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